“How can a chiropractor help a herniated disc?”

For one thing, a DC will often explain (doctor MEANS teacher) that disc lesions heal. We used to think that sequestered discs were a surgical situation. We now know that the subdural space, the space discs are extruded into or that nuclear material becomes free floating within are LOUSY with Macrophages, which gobble up such misplaced tissues. Given time and motion (that's why we recommend cat and camel exercises), and avoiding substances which inhibit the healing process, such as NSAIDs, disc lesions do heal. We will tell you to use ICE 20 minutes at a time, every hour or two that you are awake. Ice is your safest pain killer, and damps down edema as a bonus. We will also give instruction on exercises to avoid. Any movement such as hooking the leg on the side of the bed and twisting the low back makes trouble for healing a disc lesion . People who have never injured a disc can do this harmlessly, but if you have a Dx of disc herniation, you are not 19 years old any more.

Have you been diagnosed with a Disc Herniation/Bulge? Often called a pinched nerve because the extruded material can compress nerves and cause numbness/tingling, shooting pain, weakness and other nasty stuff. Chiropractors are great at diagnosing and treating discopathies. Sometimes I hear people say, "yeah, I have a bad disc, Chiro can't help me with that". Some of my best "war stories" are of people who were saved from surgical intervention. A good chiro can 100% help you with disc injuries. Proper assessments help the doctor know if you are a candidate for conservative care, or may actually need more aggressive interventions. Timely re-exams make sure you are progressing as expected. Unfortunately there have been too many times when I was "the last resort" for someone. They had failed at physical therapy and injections, and are now told surgery is their only option. Don't get me wrong, PT and injections help a lot of people too. Chiropractors just have the most experience working on backs, and most have special tables that can decompress an inflamed/injured disc. Not all cases get the results that both the doctor and patient hope for, this is the hardest part of any health care profession, you can't help EVERYONE. Bottom Line is that a good chiropractor can most likely help you with discopathy, and shouldn't be considered a last resort.

I can be if you don't get it treated. I use decompression table, therapy and adjustments. I have great success treating herniated disc, plus prevent surgery.

Cold packs and heat. Also exercise with intense physical therapy.

Spinal manipulation, spinal decompression, laser treatment.